BENNINGTON - A follow-up visit to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center found that hospital officials have corrected the deficiencies identified in early October which leaves the Bennington hospital in good standing with the federal Medicare program, according to a press release from SVMC.

No deficiencies were identified during a three-day follow-up visit which ended Oct. 30.

In a statement, Thomas Dee, president and CEO of Southwestern Vermont Health Care, the hospital’s parent company, said he was pleased with the findings. Dee thanked the nurses, doctors and other staff that worked to make sure the hospital could continue to accept Medicare payment.

The inspection was prompted by an incident, reported by SVMC officials, in early October during which a patient died unexpectedly but two emergency room nurses failed to report the death immediately.

Dee said hospital officials “offered our sincere apology to the patient’s family” and remained in contact with them to will continue to keep them apprised of the changes made by the hospital.

“This incident does not define us. Our nursing quality has been recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet program, and we take pride in that. The entire staff’s desire and ability to quickly set things right ensures that our community continues to have access to the high quality care they deserve and have come to expect from SVMC.”Dee added.